Trick or Treat?

            Another Halloween has come and gone.  Every year, I actually look forward to handing out the candy because I enjoy seeing what the little ones come up with for their costumes.  This Halloween seemed different though.  Maybe it’s because we missed the pre-schoolers since we got back after dark from dinner, but the costumes appeared more scary this year than ever. I didn’t see any cute ballerinas or Cinderellas at the door. There were mostly skeletons and werewolves, ghouls and goblins. Definitely less treats for me!  

            As I thought about what to write post Halloween, God brought to mind how the Christian life has many “treats” but there is an enemy of our spiritual walk who offers only “tricks.” We have to watch out for him the minute we wake up. Ephesians 6:11 says to Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

            Satan has often been described as a trickster or deceiver. He’s been working overtime since then Garden of Eden when he tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, saying, You surely won’t die. He’s also a liar. John 8:44 confirms, He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

            How is the enemy tricking you? What lie is he speaking into your mind?  Does what you hear match up with God’s Word?  Always remember that the enemy will oppose anything that glorifies God. I have learned that after serving in ministry for many years. The bigger the project, the more opposition there is, and when it comes, you need to realize it’s a trick! Counter it with the treats from God’s Word.

            When Satan tested Jesus in the wilderness, he twisted Scripture to entice Jesus but Jesus defeated the attack with God’s Word:

            Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.’All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

            What lie are you hearing that does not match up with Scripture?  What treat can you pull out of the Word to counter the trick?

            When you are being barraged with lies, here are some treats to claim:

            Feeling unloved? Remember, God loves you beyond measure: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

            When you are going through a difficult time, trust that God works all things together for good in our lives. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

            How much does God care about you? He wants to spend the rest of time with you.  Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’ (John 11:25)

            There are countless treats in the Bible just waiting for you to discover them. Don’t be tricked anymore. When the enemy starts whispering lies into your mind, shout back the truths in the Word and send him running to find another doorbell to ring.

            Yes, Halloween is a time to pretend to be something you are not, but in God’s world, let me tell you about something you are.  We are all sons or daughters of the king (John 1:12-13), so that makes us princes or princesses 24-7 and we don’t need a costume!  We just have to believe this truth and know it’s one more treat for our faithfulness to the Father.